Paperboard serving tray



Feb. 23, 1954 Filed Jan. 16, .1952

E. P. BUCHMILLER ET AL PAPERBOARD SERVING TRAY 2 Sheets-Sheet l Fig. l

Fig.2

- :11: Earl R Buchmlller (ltto neg u Harold 6 he Feb. 23, 1954 E. P. BUCHMILLER ET AL 2,670,124

PAPERBOARD SERVING TRAY Filed Jan. 16, 1952 ZSnoentors Earl P. Buchmiller Hqro ld Cohen Patented F eb. 23, 1954 PAPERBOARD SERVING TRAY Earl. P. Buchmiller and Harold- Cohen, Denver, 0010.

Application January 16, 1952, Serial No. 266,648

This invention relates to trays for the handling' and serving of foods, drinks, and analogous products, and more particularly tov such trays as adapted to facilitate customer service at theaters, stadiums, snack bars, drive-in" restaurants, picnics, and the like, and has as an object to' provide a novel, efficient, and inexpensive folded paperboard construction for such trays.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved folded paperboard serving tray construction characterized by an initial sheet blank highly conservative of stock material.

A further object of the invention is" to provide an improved folded'paperboard serving tray construction characterized by self-locks eliminative of all occasion for stitching, stapling, gluing, pasting, or analogous assembly operations.

A further object of. the invention is to provide an improved folded paperboard serving tray construction adapted for production, transportation, and storage in flat sheet form.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved folded paperboard serving tray adapted. for production in flat sheet form and susceptible of erection. into form for use with out recourse to agencies, tools, or ins-trumentab" ities other than the human hands.

A further object of the invention is' to providean improved folded paperboard serving tray adapted for such economy of production as to be" expendible.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, 1 our invention consists in the construction, ar rangement, and combination of elements as here-* inafter'set forth, pointed out in our claims, and illustrated by the accompanying drawings, m which-- Figure 1 is a top plan view of one preferred embodiment of the invention as constructed and? erected ready for practical use. Figure 2 is at side elevation of the tray shown in Figure l i Figures is a cross section taken substantially on; the indicated line 33 of Figure 1.. Figure 4 is at fragmentary, detail section taken substane; tially on the indicated-line 4-4 of Figure 2. Fig ure 5' is a plan view, on a reduced scale, of the sheet blank primary to" the tray as shown the preceding views. of an alternative embodiment of the invention in condition for practical use; Figure 7 is a side elevation of the tray shown in Figure ii. Figure 8 is a fragmentary, detail section, on. a: relatively enlargedscale; taken: substantially on thelndicated line 8-4 cur-"Figure 6. Figures-1's! Figure 6 is a top plan view? 4' Claims. (Cl. 229-27) a fragmentary, detail section, on' the same scale as Figure 8, taken substantially on the indicated line 9-9 of Figure 7. Figure 10 is a plan view,

on a reduced scale, of the sheet blank primary to the tray as shown in Figures 6-9, inclusive.

The serving tray represented by Figures 1:5, inclusive, is evolved in form for practical use from an initially-flat, susbtantially-rectangular,- appropriately scored and incised sheet ofpaperboard, or analogous material, through mterrmcring and interlocking of elements to which the sheet is patterned, and in such practical serorm the" tray combines an open-top compartment of about one-half the tray area adapted to action-[-- modate solid foods with a boxed or covered complementary tray area conditioned for the sup} port and reception of beverage containers in and as a unit assembly particularly adapted for the serving of one or two customers. and including all of the elements for the practical use form of the tray in its simpler embodiment, the unitary sheet blank represented by Figure 5 is cut and worked to the form and arrangement of elements hereinafter detailed, and

-to any preferred element size and proportion, from stock sheets or rolls of suitable paper board, or similar material, through theagen'eyof known and available means and the application of conventional techniques, preferably andeiiped'iently in a single operation.

'In a rectangular outline modified as hereinafter set forth, the sheet blank shown irr Fig ure 5 is developed with parallel long side margins in a width equalling the desired traywidth plus twice the desired tray depth and with para-I I area laterally of and along a longitudinally'c'ennally of the blank adistance equ l to the desired tray length, a second incised section I 1 aligned Primary to 3 with and extending longitudinally of the blank from the section l5 a distance approximately twice the desired tray depth, a scored fold line section it aligned with and extending longitudinally of the blank from the section I! to a point spaced from the junction of the sections it and ll a distance equalling approximately one-half the desired tray length as represented by said section l6 plus the desired tray depth, and a final incised section it aligned with and extending longitudinally of the blank from said section I8 through the adjacent end of the blank, each of said final incised sections it being interrupted, or offset, at its approximate midlength to form a tab 20 outstanding laterally of the blank a short distance beyond each of the just-described aligned succession of incisions and fold line scorings. On the free end of the blank longitudinally central area embraced between the incised sections l5 short tabs 2! are formed to spacedly interrupt and outstand beyond the blank end and a scored fold line 22 transversely of and extending entirely across the blank at the junction of the incised sections l 5 and scored line sections 16 includes slits 23 cut through the blank material in alignment longitudinally of the blank with the tabs 2| for interlocking cooperation with the latter, as will hereinafter appear. The scored line 22 demarks an end section of the blank longitudinally central area between the incised sections !5 which is further bisected by a scored fold line 24 spanning between said incised sections !5 in parallel with the line 22 and adjacent end of the blank, thus to define like, contiguous tray end panels 25 and 26 foldable into superposition and into perpendicular relation with the original plane of the blank in a uniformity of length equal to the desired tray width and a uniformity of width corresponding to the desired tray depth, and extensions of the scored line 22 laterally of the blank beyond the incised sections is and to the blank side margins define flaps 21 at the correspond ing ends of the blank side strips, which flaps are hence foldable into perpendicular relation with the areas which they terminate. Spacedly paralleling the scored line 22, a scored fold line 28 traverses the entire width of the blank at the junctions of the scored line sections l6 and incised sections ii to delimit, in cooperation with the said line 22 and sections IS, a rectangular, generally-central, blank area 29 sized to the width and length dimensions desired for the tray and adapted to function as the tray bottom, extensions of the scored line 28 across and laterally of the blank side strips cooperating with the corresponding line 22 extensions to delimit side strip panels 30 oppositely bounding the area 29 and foldable into perpendicular relation with the latter as tray side walls. At the junctions of the incised sections ll with the scored line sections I8, incisions 3i laterally interrupt the blank side strips to free the ends of side strip flaps 32, identical with the flaps 21 save for location, thus conditioned for folding at the line 28 extensions into perpendicular relation with the panels 30 which they terminate. Paralleling the scored line 23 and spaced therefrom away from the area 29 a distance equal to the desired tray depth, a scored fold line 33 spans the blank between the incised sections I! to demark a tray end panel 3 5 foldable on the line 28 into perpendicular relation with the area 29, and paralleling said line 33 at the junctions of the scored line sections it! and incised sections l9 a scored fold line 35 is spaced from the line 33 a distance approximately one-half the length of the area 29 to delimit a tray cover area 35 disposable, by virtue of the fold lines 28 and 33, to spacedly overlie the adjacent half portion of the area 29, extensions of said scored line 35 as incisions 31 laterally across the blank side strips functioning to cut away corners of the otherwise rectangular blank and to complete the definition of flaps 3e constituted from ends of the blank side strips and outstanding laterally of the blank from ends of the area 36 for folding into perpendicular relation with said area on the scored line sections it. Paralleling the fold line 35 in a spacing outwardly therefrom corresponding with the desired tray depth, a scored fold line 39 spans between the incised sections iii to define a panel 40 conformed to the panel 34 and to foldably associate said panel ill with a narrow end strip 4! laterally of and terminating the blank. At approximately the midlength of each scored line section l6 and laterally of each side strip panel 30, a short slit 52 intersects the panel material to extend from the line sec tion IE to about the midwidth of the panel, and from the outer end of each of said slits 42 a further out 43 is formed through the panel material to spacedly parallel the adjacent line section iii in a length away from the slit wherewith it joins and toward the flap 32 at the same side of the blank a distance slightly exceeding the flap 3!! dimension longitudinally of the blank, whereby said slits 42 are conditioned to receive and cooperate with the tabs 20 and the cuts 63 are arranged to pass free ends of the flaps 38 when the blank is manipulated into usable tray form. Completing the blank for its intended use, circular apertures 44 are spaced apart laterally of and to open through the cover area 36 in a size and arrangement accommodative of beverage containers, such as cups, bottles, and

the like, relatively-foldable, angularly-spaced' cure such products in supported relation within and through said apertures.

The sheet blanks constituted as shown and above described include every element of the trays they are designed to provide, hence each such blank represents and is a completed tray unit, in so far'as manufacture is concerned, and is in condition for sale, storage, and transportation in its sheet form, needing only simple and brief manipulation to convert it into usable tray form. The manipulations required for erection of the tray into form for use may vary somewhat as to sequence, but are, obviously, essentially as follows. The flaps 21 and 32 are folded on the lines 22 and 28 into perpendicular relation with the plane of the sheet; the side panels 30 are then folded on the line sections l6 into perpendicular relation with the sheet to dispose the associated flaps 21 and 32 transversely across and above the sheet with the flap ends of each pair in opposition; the end panel 25, with thepanel 26, is folded on'the line 22 upwardly and 3 realism:

- 5 exteriorlynacross the: flaps "21 landi tliea panel as is then folded. onwth'e lineiilifdownwardly interiorly across? said flaps to engagement of its tabs: 2 l in thefslitsv23,". completingi and Se.-

curing one end of thetramthmpanercarrying thearea '38, paneli'40,"strip 41 and; flaps38nis= then 'folded' on the line "28 upwardly-iand' ex teriorly' across thew-flaps 32, the: flaps. \38-::.are: folded on their. lineisectionsr l'aizinwardly toward.

the tray andto engagezthe outensidesrotrtheside panels 30-, the-area 38 is folded "on the line- 33 to close overrtheadjacent?portiomor the. area 29 and. free ends-of theiflaps;3&are'entered; in and. through the: cuts '43 'as the-"area '33 is urged into engagement with: free-;e'dge-margins:-

of the side panels 30;; and; finally :the'r panelr 40 is: folded on the line 35 to bridge inrendzengagement with andbetween midlengthsrof therside panels 30. and is urged in-to spacedi-parallelism;

withi the panel 34 closing one end of the tray;

such urging of the panel into its upstanding relation with and centrally across -thearea-29 operating to engage the tabs 20 in the slits 142 and: to'foldthe strip4l.'onl; the 11118'239 against and in overlying relation with the centraltransverse zone of'the area 2-9, thus: completing the tray ready for use with. ahalf-area, open top compartment, a half-area;-boxed section-tdwhich the apertures 44 open, and with: the-interfolded tray elementslocked against inadvertent separation.

Thealternative embodiment of. the invention shownv in Figures6-10;v inclusive, of thedrawi-ngs is but an adaptation and extension of the constructionhereinabove described to the production of a tray characterizedby boxed: enda-each arranged for the accommodation of beverage containers, ateither side of and defining an opentop compartment, thus to enlarge the tray capac' ity in a form and style-convenient tor-the simultaneousser-ving of upto four customers As in the case of the embodiment first described: the modified or alternative -form of the invention. is produced as an: initially-flat,generally-rectangular, sheet blank appropriately workedand patterned for manipulation and. interfolding. ofits elements to constitute thedesired tray ready for use, the blank-f themodified embodiment of. the.

inventionrdifferin-g. only in proportion and-are rangement of its elementsfrom the blankshown in Figure and hereinabove described. ,Symmetrical with respect. to. its. transverse median. line, the blank represented by Figure lnlislon'ger in proportion to its, width than .the blank of. Figure 5 and is'formed with.lduplicate end per.- tions, each of which corresponds to. the .boxforming arrangement: oflelements as shown. atthe upper end of the latter view; Thus. in. the

blank of the modified embodiment, Figure, 10,.

the flaps 32 and/.38, the panels 34 and" 40, the strip 4|, the. cover area;36vwith its apertures 44, and the tabs 20 are interrelated and associated with the central areaand side strip: portions of the blank by means of thescored fold line 28 in the identical structural and functional arrangement hereinabove detailed, while at the-other bottomznreaznzagmreas isiextended in length taprcvide: the rectangular central: area 2.9: of Figure. m'and theside strips w'offFigure 5 are correspondingly lengthened. to form; the: substie tute: strips-13G" oi. the modification, saidv area 29 havingsthet holesz': adi'acentona of ends: as previously; described: and a duplicate: arrangement. oinli'ke holes 46!:adjacentits other end, while the: strips/304. haverthe slits-errand cuts43 in the l0rdispositionand: forsthe purposes: previously set forth: and: a. duplicate? arrangement of slits; 42": and cuts": 4'3 disposed: for co'actionwith thettabs' 20 "and flaps '38". 'Obvio'uslm; elements; constituting the end portions of the blank as-shown' j in Figure 1onriay-- be :interioldedrand interlocked in the manner heretoforeexplained to develop the tray form-shown: in Figures 6, 7, 8 and 9 wherein both ends of thettray are boxed and conditioned for reception and support of beverage containers,: or the like, .and: anopen-topcomp'artment for the reception of solid foods is defined betweensaidboxed ends in an assembly adequate for the serving of four-customers.

As is clearly-apparent, the improvement, in

either of its illustrated embodiments, is conserva- '3fl ;0f purpose and use for which it is designed; the

low-cost features characterizing the improvement favoring its .use in situations and under conditions where salvage of the used trays is infeasible.

Since changes, variations, and modifications in the form, construction,andarrangement of the elements shown and described may be had without departing. from the spirit of our invention, we wish to be understood as being limited solely by the scope of the appended claims, rather than 'by any details of theillustrative showing and foregoing. description. I e

We claim.- as our invention:

1. A serving. traycomprising, in a unitary, self-locked, interfolded assembly,- a rectangular 4 tray bottom member,..like side strip panels integrally and foldably upstanding perpendicularly fromvand along opposite edge margins of said bottom member, foldably-relatedi and extene sions of said panels aligned to traverse op- 50 'posite ends of' said bottom member in perpendiculart relation with said memberand panels,..

' a 'foldably-related' end extension of said bottom member transversely scored as a succession of .con-ti'guous rectangular... areas whereof the inner 'most'upstands perpendicularly from the bottom,

member as a trayendl closure exteriorly and up: wardly acrossthe adjacent side strip panel end extensions, the nextoutward' of the areas spans 7 between upper. margins. ofitheside s'trippanels to r 6 spacedly parallel", the. bottom. member as; a cover for a portion thereof, the next. adjoining jofflthe areasrspans between the side strip panels to edge-close against. thelbottommemberin spaced parallel'lsm with, said end closure. areas as, agar; A ti'ti'on transversely of the.tray;,.tahs projecting fromopposite ends OfsaidpartitiOn area through slits intersecting the. side strip panels, 1 ioljdabl yrelated flaps on. opposite margins of. said cover .area exteri'orly embracing the side strip panels 7 in end engagement with said" bottom member and edge-abutting relation with ends of said partition area through slits intersectirmsaid-panels perpendicular to'and intersecting corresponding ends of the tab-accommodating slits, containerseating apertures intersecting said cover area, a

side strip panel end extensions, and tabs proj ecting from the free end margin of said transversely-scored extension in engagement through slits at the corresponding end of the bottom member.

2. A serving tray comprising, in a unitary, self locked. interiolded assembly, a rectangular tray bottom member, like side strip panels integrally and foldably upstanding perpendicularly from and along opposite edge margins of said bottom member, foldably-related end extensions of said panels aligned to traverse opposite ends of said bottom member in perpendicular relation with said member and panels, a foldably-related end extension of said bottom'member, on each end of said bottom member, transversely scored as succession of contiguous rectangular areas, each of said bottom member end extensions having an innermost area upstanding perpendicularly from the bottom member as a tray end closure exteriorly and upwardly across the adjacent side strip panel end extensions, 2. next outward area spanning between upper margins of the side strip panels to spacedly parallel the bottom member as a cover for a portion thereof, a next adjoining area spanning between the side strip panels to edge-close against the bottom member in spaced parallelism with said end closure area as a partition transversely of the tray, tabs projecting from opposite ends of said partition area through slits intersecting the side strip panels, foldably-related flaps on opposite margins of said cover area exteriorly embracing the side strip panels in end engagement with said bottom memher and edge-abutting relation with ends of said partition area through slits intersecting said panels perpendicular to and intersecting corresponding ends cf the tab-accommodating slits, container-seating apertures intersecting said cover area, and a terminal strip foldably and perpendicularly related to said partition area in surface engagement against said bottom member to stiffen the associated partition area against fiexure.

3. In a serving tray having a rectangular tray bottom member, like side strip panels integrally and foldably upstanding perpendicularly from and along opposite edge margins of said bottom member, and foldably-related end extensions of said panels aligned to traverse opposite ends of said bottom memberin perpendicular relation with said member and panels, means interfoldably coacting with said bottom member,

side strip panels, and panel end extensions to define a boxed tray end closure adapted for. the reception andsupport of beverage containers,

said means comprising. a foldably-related, integral extension from and coextensive in width with the bottom member end, spacedly parallel scorings transversely of said extension to define a succession of contiguous rectangular areas thereon in a manner to constitute the innermost said area as a tray end closureupstanding perpendicularly from the bottom member Lex-T'L teriorly and upwardly strip panel end extensions, the next outward area as a cover spacedly paralleling and overlying a portion of the bottom member in spanning relation between upper margins of the side strip panels, the next adjacent area as a partition transversely of the tray between the side strip panels edge-closing against the bottom member in spaced parallelism with said end closure, and the terminal area as a strip foldably and perpendicularly related to said partition in surface engagement against said bottom member, tabs projecting from opposite ends of said partition through slits intersecting the side strip panels, container-seating apertures intersecting said cover, and foldably-related flaps on opposite margins of said cover exterior-1y embracing the side strip panels in end engagement with said bottom member and edge-abutting relation with ends of said partition through slits intersecting said panels perpendicular to and intersecting corresponding ends of the tab-accommodatin slits.

4. In a serving tray constituted as a rectangular paperboard box having a bottom member,

end walls, and sidewalls hingedly connected to the bottom member and formed with at least one covered end compartment and an open top compartment adjacent thereto, a foldably-related flap extension of the covered compartment top closure perpendicular to the box bottom as a partition between said compartments, and container-seating apertures intersecting the covered compartment top closure, an interlock between said covered compartment top closure, flap extension, and the side walls of the box effective to stifien the flap-constituted partition against shift and flexure and to condition said top closure for support of a charge, said interlock comprising slits transversely of the box side walls registered with the ends of the flap-constituted partition, tabs outstanding from the ends of the flap-constituted partition through said slits, foldably-related flaps oppositely outstanding from side margins of said top closure in a length equal to the box depth, said flaps joining the top closure on a, line extending from the foldline of said flap extension to approximately the midwidth. of the top closure, and slits extending longitudinally of the box sides from corresponding ends of the tab-accommodating slits for the reception of said flaps when the latter are folded into perpendicular relation with the top closure, whereby to dispose said flaps in end engagement with the box bottom and edge-abutting relation with ends of the flap-constituted partition; together with a foldably-related flap along the otherwise free edge of the flap-constituted partition adjacently overlying the box bottom.

EARL P. BUCHMILLER. HAROLD COHEN.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 708,286 Palmer June 22, 1902 885,159 Keys Apr. 21, 1908 999,88l- Schinscholl Aug. 8, 1911 1,253,442 Tozer Jan. 15, 1918 1,707,771 Richardson Apr. 2, 1929' 2,238,545 Whiley Apr. 15, 1941 2,355,206 Davidson Aug. 8, 1944- 2,49s,1ae

across the adjacent side Frankenstein Jan. 3, 1950 

